Power transmission



June 23, 1942. H. c. NYE

POWER TRANSMISSION Filed Dec. 17, 1958 INVE-NTOR HUGH C. NYE

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ATTORNEY Patented June 23, 1942 2,287,559 rowan TRANSMISSION Hugh 0. Nye, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Vickers Incorporated, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application December 17, 1938, Serial No. 246,251

7 Claims.

spindle being given a reciprocating motion lon-' gitudinally of the bore to impart a preliminary or final finish to the bore. In honing machines as previously constructed considerable difliculty has been experienced in obtaining proper control of the radial expansion of the hone after the latter is inserted in the bore. If breakage of stones is to be avoided it is necessary that the expanding pressure applied to the hone be under precise control and be applied gradually after the hone is positioned in the bore.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hydraulic power transmission system particularly adapted for operating a honing machine wherein means are provided for applying a precisely controlled expanding pressure to the hone.

It is a further object to provide a machine of this character wherein the reciprocating and rotary movements of the head and the expanding and contracting movements of the hone may be made to take place automatically in a predetermined cycle upon manual initiation.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a power transmission system embodying a preferred form of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross section of the head and spindle of a honing machine.

In the drawing only such portions of the honing machine as are necessary to an understanding of the invention have been illustrated.

Briefly, the honing machine includes a reciprocable head It! which has rotatably secured thereto a spindle I2 mounted on anti-friction bearings I4 and I6, The spindle I2 is provided with a pair of circumierential grooves I8 and 28 which communicate by internal bores 22 and 24 with the opposite endsof a hone expanding 42 formed in the body of the head I0.

The upper portion of the spindle I2 is provided with a splined portion 44 slidably received in a gear 46 which meshes with a pinion 48 mounted on the shaft of an electric motor 50. The gear 46 is suitably mounted in the frame of the honing machine to prevent translatory movement thereof while permitting rotation.

For reciprocating the head I8 and spindle I2 a pair of hydraulic cylinders 52 are mounted on the frame and have slidably mounted therein pistons 54 connected to the head I8 by rods 56. The head III also carries an upstanding dog rod 58 having trip dogs 60, 62 and 64 adapted to control limit switches 66, 68 and I8 respectively.

Fluid for operating the pistons 54. may be supplied from a pump I2 driven by an electric motor I4 and delivering oil from a tank I6 through a suction conduit I8 and delivery conduit to the pressure port of a solenoid-operated closed-center four-way valve 82. A combined relief and unloading valve 84 is mounted in the conduit 88 for bypassing oil to the tank through a conduit 86 when either a predetermined safe pressure is exceeded in the conduit 80 or when the control chamber of the relief valve is vented through a vent conduit 88. The valve 94 may, for example, be constructed similarly to that disclosed in the patent to Harry F. Vickers 2,043,453.

The tank ports of the four-way valve 82 are connected to tank by a conduit 90 while the cylinder ports connect to the opposite ends of the cylinders 52 by conduits 92 and 94. The spool of valve 82 is adapted to be shifted to the right from the position shown by meansof a solenoid 96. It is shifted to the left by means of a solenoid 98. Suitable detent mechanism, not shown, may be provided for releasably retaining the valve in either of its two positions.

For the purpose of operating the hone expanding piston 28, a second pump I80 may be driven by the electric motor I4 to deliver fluid from the tank I6 through a suction conduit I82 and delivery conduit I84 to the pressure port of a solenoid-operated four-way valve I06. The

-latter may be constructed similarly to the valve 82 and provided with solenoids I88 for shifting the spool to the right and H for shifting the spool to the left. A relief valve H2 is provided in the conduit I04 for bypassing selectively variable quantities of fluid to the tank through a conduit II4. Valve II2 has a pressure chamber II6 through which the conduit I04 extends and which has a seat II8 opening to the conduit H4. The seat H8 is adapted to be controlled by a valve I20 having a piston I 22 and a pilot stem I24 of substantially the same area as the seat II8. A restricted passage I26 extends between the opposite sides of the piston I22. The chamber I28 above the piston I22 communicates by a conduit I30 with a pilot relief valve I32, the spring setting of which may be adjusted by up and down movement of the stem I34. A conduit I36 connects the discharge side of the valve I32 to tank. The tank ports of the valve I06 connect to tank through a conduit I38 while the cylinder ports connect to the passages 40 and 42 by conduits I40 and I42.

For controlling the venting of relief valve 84, a spring-offset solenoid-operated valve I44 is provided for connecting the conduit 88 with the tank through a conduit I46 whenever the solenoid I48 is energized. When the solenoid is deenergized, this communication is blocked.

For the purpose of controlling the energization of the solenoid valves 82 and I06 and for controlling the adjusting stem I34 of the valve I32, an electric circuit is provided as follows:

Anelectric timer consisting of a shaft I50 carrying cams I52 and I54 is provided. Rotation of the shaft I50 is controlled by an electromagnetic clutch indicated at I56 for selectively connecting the shaft I50 to a shaft I58 driven by worm gearing I60 from a constantly rotating electric motor I62. The cam I54 is cut with a predetermined outline so as to control the position of the adjusting stem I34 and vary the same in a predetermined manner during one revolution of the cam I 54. v

The cam I52 is provided with a projecting portion I64 adapted to close a switch I66 near the end of one revolution from the position shown and to open a double-pole switch I68 in the position shown.

The energization of the clutch I56 is controlled by a holding relay I which, when energized, establishes a circuit from line L through a conductor I12 and slip rings I14 to the clutch I56 and line L. The operating coil of relay I10 has an initiating circuit adapted to be closed when a starting switch I16 is depressed to establish the circuit from line L through conductor I18 to the coil of relay I10. When the relay I10 lifts, it establishes its holding circuit through a conductor I80 extending to the bottom contacts of the limit switch I68 and line L The starting switch I16 when depressed also establishes a circuit from line L through conductor I84 to the' solenoid 96.

The limit switch 68, when depressed by the dog 62, establishes two circuits from the line L through the upper contacts of switch I68 if the latter are closed, and conductor I 86, one being through a conductor I8I, switch I66, and a conductor I82 to the solenoid I08, and the other being through a conductor I88 to the solenoid 96. The left-hand. contacts of switch 68 establish a circuit from line L through a conductor I90 to the operating coil of a holding relay I92. The latter has a holding circuit through a conductor I94 and. the left-hand normally closed contacts of switch 66 to line L The relay I92 I66 when operated by the cam I52 is adapted to establish a circuit from the line L through a conductor 204 to the solenoid I I0.

In operation, with the parts in the position illustrated and the motor 14 running, the motor 50 is deenergized. The clutch I56 is deenergized so that the cam shaft I50 is stationary, and the solenoid I48 is energized due to closure of the back contacts of switches 66 and I16, this circuit extending through the conductors I98 and 200. Under these conditions, fluid delivered by the pump 12 to the conduit 60 is bypassed through the valve 64 and conduit 86 to the tank, thus unloading the pump 12.

Due to the outline of the cam I54, the stem I34 is in its uppermost position, thus adjusting the valve I 32 to open at a very low pressurewhich permits the piston I22 to rise until the pressure in chamber I I6 falls to a value equal to the pressure determined by the valve I32 plus an increment sufiicient to balance the spring bias on the piston I22. The pump I00 is thus unloaded at a comparatively low pressure.

To start the machine in operation the starting switch I16 is depressed manually. This first deenergizes the solenoid I48 permitting the valve I44 to close under its spring bias and block the vent conduit 88 for the valve 84. The latter accordingly closes permitting pressure to build up in line 80, which pressure is transmitted to the valve 82.

The operation of the switch I16 also energized the solenoid 96 through line I84, shifting the spool of valve 82 to the right connecting the pressure conduit to the conduit 92 causing fluid to be delivered to the head end of cylinders 52 and thus initiating descent of the pistons 54 and head I 0.

Depression of the switch I16 also initially energizes the holding relay I10 which establishes the circuit. I12 to the magnetic clutch I 56 which causes the shaft I50 to start turning. After the latter has turned a small amount in the direction of the arrow, the projection I64 permits the switch I66 to close establishing the holding circuit I80 for relay I10. The starting button I16 may now be released. Since the head is concurrently descending the dog 60 has by this time passed ofi from switch 66 thus breaking the circuit I98 so that solenoid I48 will not be again energized by release of the starting switch.

As the head I0 descends the trip dog 62 contacts the limit switch 68 closing the same to establish the initiating circuit I for the holding relay I92. The latter lifts energizing the motor 50 and establishing its own holding circuit I94 since the limit switch 66 is now in its normal position. The spindle I2 is thus started to rotate.

Closure of limit switch 68 also establishes a circuit from line L through the switch I66 which is now closed, conductor I66 and conductor I66 v to the solenoid 96. Since this solenoid was previously energized by depression of the starting switch I16, the spool of valve 82 does not move. The limit switch 68 establishes a third circuit position, and conductor I82 to the solenoid I08.

, This shifts the spool of valve I06 to the right,

thus admitting pressure oil from the delivery conduit I04 through conduits I42, 42 and 24 to the head end of the hone-expanding cylinder 26. The piston 28 accordingly moves downwardly projecting the stones 36 outwardly into engagement with the walls of the bore to be honed. The pressure of such engagement, however, is limited to a rather low value due to the periphery of the cam I54 which at this point in the rotation thereof has not depressed the stem I34 but slightly.

As the head I continues to descend the dog 64 strikes the switch I0 establishing the circuit 202 to the solenoid 98 which accordingly shifts the spool of valve 82 to the left directing pressure oil to the conduit 94 and the lower end of cylinders 52.

The head I0 accordingly reverses and startsupwardly. As this upward motion is continued, the dog 62 approaches the limit switch 68 from the bottom and again closes the same to at this time again energize the solenoid 96 shifting the valve 82 to the right and thus reversing the travel of the head I0.

Switch 68 also energizes the holding relay I92 but the latter is continuously energized anyway by its holding circuit. Likewise switch 68 energizes solenoid I08 through conductors I8I and I82, but since the latter has been previously shifted to the right, no result is produced.

The head accordingly continues its reciprocating motion between the limits established by the position of the dogs 62 and 64, until the cam shaft I50 has nearly completed a revolution. During this rotation the cam I54 has gradually depressed the stem I34 to increase the expanding pressure exerted on the stones 36. If desired, the cam I54 may be shaped so as to also gradually decrease this pressure after it has built up to a maximum and been maintained at that value for a greater portion of the honing period. As will be obvious the outline of cam I54 may be made in any form desired and by experience and trial can be so shaped as to produce the best possible finish in the time allotted.

When the projection I64 comes around to lift the switch I66, the circuit for solenoid I08 is broken and the circuit 204 for solenoid H0 is estabilshed. This causes the valve I06 to shift to the left admitting pressure oil to the conduit I40 and the lower side of the cylinder 26 to retract the piston 28 and the stones 36. Shortly thereafter the projection I64 strikes the switch I68 opening the same which opens the holding circuit for relay I10 thus deenergizing the circuit I12 for the clutch I56.

Switch I68 also breaks the circuit I86 so that the dog 62 when it next moves upwardly past the switch 68 will not energize the solenoid 96 nor the solenoid I08. As the head thus continues upwardly, when it reaches its upper position the dog 60 strikes the limit switch 66, thus opening the holding circuit 194 for relay I92 and deenergizing the motor 50.

Switch 66 also establishes the circuit I98-200 for solenoid I48 thus shifting the valve I44 to vent relief valve 84 and unload the pump 12. The parts are then in the position from which they started.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a hydraulic power transmission for operating a honing machine the combination with atranslatable head and an expansible hone carried thereby, of power means for effecting advancing and retracting movement of the head, a fluid motor for effecting expansion and contraction of the hone, a pump for supplying pressure fluid to operate the motor, adjustable pressure responsive means for controlling the rate of fluid delivery to the motor and thereby controlling the efiective pressure on the fluid motor, power-operated means for adjusting the pressure responsive means to vary the fluid pressure effective in said motor during the honing operation, and means controlled by said power-operated means for controlling the power means for advancing and retracting the head.

2. In a hydraulic power transmission for operating a honing machine the combination with a translatable head and an expansible hone carried thereby, of power means for effecting advancing and retracting movement of the head, a fluid motor for effecting expansion and contraction of the hone, a pump for supplying pressure fluid to operate the motor, adjustable pressure responsive means for controlling the rate of fluid delivery to the motor and thereby controlling the effective pressure on the fluid motor, a cycle timer including cam means for variably adjusting the pressure responsive means, and means controlled by the timer for initiating an advance movement of the head, means controlled by the head for causing alternate reciprocations through a predetermined range and means controlled by the timer for terminating thereciprocation of v the head and retracting the same.

3. In a hydraulic power transmission for operating a honing machine the combination with a translatable head and an expansible hone carried thereby, of power means for effecting advancing and retracting movement of the head, a fluid motor for effecting expansion and contraction of the hone, a pump for supplying pressure fluid to operate the motor, adjustable pressure responsive means for controlling the rate of fluid delivery to the motor and thereby controlling the effective pressure on the fluid motor, a cycle timer including cam means for variably adjusting the pressure responsive means, and means controlled by the timer for initiating an advance movement of the head, means controlled by the head for causing alternate reciprocations through a predetermined range, means controlled by the timer,fcr terminating the reciprocation of the head and retracting the same, and means controlled by the timer to initiate contraction of the head prior to retraction of the head.

4. In a hydraulic power transmission for operating a honing machine the combination with a translatable head and an expansible hone carried thereby, of a fluid motor for effecting expansion and contraction of the hone, a pump for supplying pressure fluid to operate the motor, and means for regulating the fluid pressure effective on said motor to thereby control the expansive a spring-loaded, pressure-responsive, pilot relief valve for controlling the exhaust of fluid from said other side of the piston.

5. In a hydraulic power transmission for operating a honing machine the combination with a translatable head and an expansible hone carried thereby, of a fluid motor for effecting expansion and contraction of the hone, a pump for supplying pressure fluid to operate the motor, and means for regulating the fluid pressure eflective on said motor to thereby control the expansive force exerted by the hone, said means including a member shiftable to control the quantity of fluid delivered to the motor, a piston for operating said member and having one side freely communicating with the delivery side of the pump and its other side in restricted communication therewith, and a spring-loaded, pressure-responsive pilot relief valve for controlling the exhaust of fluid from said other side of the piston.

6. In a hydraulic power transmission for operating a honing machine the combination with a translatable head and an expansible hone carried thereby, of power means for efiecting advancing and retracting movement of the head, a fluid motor for effecting expansion and contraction of the hone, a pump for supplying pressure fluid to operate the motor, adjustable pressure responsive means for controlling the rate of fluid delivery to the motor and thereby controlling the effective pressure on the fluid motor,

power-operated cam means for controlling the adjustment of the last-mentioned means for causing the hone to exert an expanding pressure which varies in a predetermined manner during a honing operation, and a. magnetic clutch for controlling operation of said cam means.

7. In a hydraulic power transmission for operating a honing machine the-combination with a translatable head and an expansible hone carried thereby, of power means for effecting advancing and retracting movement of the head, a fluid motor for effecting expansion and contraction of the hone, a pump for supplying pressure fluid to operate the motor, adjustable pressure responsive means for controlling-the rate of fluid delivery to the motor and thereby controlling the effective pressure on the fluid motor, a cycle timer including cam means for variably adjusting the pressure responsive means, and means controlled by the timer for initiating an advance movement of the head, means controlled by the head for causing alternate reciprocations through a predetermined range, means controlled by the timer forterminating the reciprocation of the head and retracting the same, means for manually initiating operation of the timer, and means controlled by the timer for terminating operation thereof when the reciprocation of the head is terminated.

. HUGH C. NYE. 

